Saint Johns River State College vs. Columbia College

Comparable Facts

Compare Saint Johns River State College in Palatka, FL with Columbia College in Columbia, SC on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Saint Johns River State College is larger than Columbia College based on total student enrollment (7,927 students vs. 1,725 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Saint Johns River State College is located in Palatka, FL (Distant Town setting); Columbia College is in Columbia, SC (Midsize City setting).
• Saint Johns River State College is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Columbia College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Saint Johns River State College 19:1; Columbia College 12:1.

Saint Johns River State College vs. Columbia College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Saint Johns River State College or Columbia College? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Saint Johns River State College than Columbia College ($6,712 vs. $18,790).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Columbia College are 25.5% lower than at Saint Johns River State College ($9,390 vs. $12,604).
• Columbia College is 757.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than Saint Johns River State College (about $19,623 more per year; $22,214.00 vs. $2,591.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 138% higher at Columbia College than at Saint Johns River State College (about $12,879 more per year; $22,214.00 vs. $9,335.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Columbia College than at Saint Johns River State College (97% vs. 47%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Columbia College students is 122.8% larger than aid received by Saint Johns River State College students ($16,451 vs. $7,384).

Saint Johns River State College vs. Columbia College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Saint Johns River State College or Columbia College? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Columbia College and Saint Johns River State College.

• Saint Johns River State College reports an open admissions policy.
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsColumbia College 850/1140.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsColumbia College 14/18.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Saint Johns River State College - Open admission; Columbia College - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: Saint Johns River State College Oct 10, 2026.

Saint Johns River State College vs. Columbia College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Saint Johns River State College and Columbia College? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• Graduates from Columbia College earn a median of about $2,400 more per year than Saint Johns River State College graduates about ten years after starting college ($34,700 vs. $32,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Saint Johns River State College graduates have a $13,613 lower median loan debt than Columbia College graduates ($11,651 vs. $25,264).
• Among borrowers, Saint Johns River State College graduates have an estimated $141 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Columbia College graduates ($120 vs. $261).
• More Columbia College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Saint Johns River State College students, three years after graduation. (43% vs. 32%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.